To many people, the drainage system is out of signs and out of mind. However, from experience, we can tell you that the drainage system is not something you can afford to neglect. Indeed, drains form an integral section of your plumbing system, and like the rest of your plumbing infrastructure, your drains need regular maintenance to continue performing optimally. Therefore, you need to have a professional drain cleaning service provider who can help you with ensuring that your drainage system is cleaned professionally at least once per year. This is because dirty drains can lead to several costly consequences. For instance, if you neglect your drainage system, it could put your home at risk of sustaining serious structural damage, which could cost a lot of money to fix. Besides, dirty drains could expose your family to the risk of contracting serious infections. If you are still unconvinced that you need to get your drain cleaned regularly, here are some of the most significant benefits associated with regular drain cleaning.

Improve Your Family’s Health

As a caring homeowner, you most likely do everything you can to make your home as clean and hygienic as possible. But have you ever thought of the impacts the condition of your home’s drainage system could have on your efforts to maintain high hygiene standards? No matter what you do, failure to keep getting your drainage system cleaned regularly by a professional drain cleaning service provider will frustrate you. This is because dirty drains are known to harbor microorganisms that could quickly spread and contaminate your air, food, and water, putting your family at risk of contracting serious infections. Besides, dirty drains are known to attract pests that could bring dangerous parasites to your house. The good news is that you can eliminate such health concerns by simply getting your drainage system cleaned annually. Indeed, professional drain cleaning will make your drains less attractive to pests and pathogens, and consequently make your home a healthier dwelling for you and your family.

Eliminate Foul Odors

Although every home has a unique odor, no one would fancy living in a stinking home. This is because foul odors can make homes quite uncomfortable to live in. Besides, if your home has a foul odor, it might embarrass you, especially when you have guests. But if you fail to take good care of your drainage system, this is the reality you may have to live with. But what is the relationship between dirty drains and foul odors in homes? In simple terms, dirty drains create a perfect environment for microorganisms like fungi and bacteria to thrive. As these microbes digest the organic material in your home’s drainage system, they can generate a foul odor that will gradually diffuse to the rest of your home. Of course, you can try fighting these odors with air fresheners, but this DIY solution is ineffective and very expensive. The good news is that you can effectively eliminate or even prevent this issue by addressing its source with the help of a professional drain cleaning service. A professional drain cleaning expert will thoroughly clean your drainage system, which makes it less conducive to bacterial activity and consequently eliminate foul odors in a more efficient way. In a nutshell, you can give your home a sweet, natural smell by simply ensuring your drainage system is cleaned professionally at least once per year.

Protect the Structural Integrity of Your House

Your drainage system is probably embedded in the structure of your home. Some drains could even be laid within your home’s slab foundation. Therefore, the condition of your drainage system could have an impact on the structural soundness of your house. For instance, if you do not get your drains cleaned regularly, they could get corroded more rapidly and eventually develop leaks. Unfortunately, leaking drains can be quite destructive. For instance, if the leaking pipe is buried within or under your slab foundation, it could cause the structure of the ground on which your home rests to weaken, putting the slab foundation at risk of shifting and cracking. In other words, failure to take care of your drainage system with the help of a professional drain cleaning service provider could lead to costly structural damage. On the other hand, you can minimize the risk of such damage by simply hiring a professional plumbing contractor to help you keep your drainage system in good shape. Indeed, Well-maintained drains are unlikely to develop plumbing issues that could put your home at risk of suffering serious structural damage.

Minimize the Risk of Some Plumbing Emergencies

No homeowner wishes to ever need the services of an emergency plumber. This is because emergency plumbing services could cause serious inconveniences in homes and cost a lot of money to fix. Unfortunately, if you do not take care of your drainage system, you could be forced to face plumbing emergencies on a more frequent basis. For instance, neglected drains are likely to cause drain clogs and sewer backups. When such plumbing situations occur, you will have to call emergency plumbing services providers, which might cost you a lot of money. The good news is that the occurrence of such emergencies can be averted by simply getting your drains cleaned regularly. Indeed, well-maintained drains work optimally, and they are unlikely to cause plumbing emergencies.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, the importance of working with a professional plumbing contractor to keep your drainage system in good shape cannot be overemphasized. Indeed, the value of professional drain cleaning is not something you can afford to overlook as a homeowner. If you are looking for a dependable plumbing contractor to help you keep your drainage system clean, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence is an excellent choice. We have many years of experience and our reputation is above board. Feel free to get in touch with us today to learn more about our company and services.

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Is Your Plumbing System Acting Up? Call A Plumber Today

There are three parts to your plumbing system. The first is the water delivery system, which allows water to enter the house. The second is the drainage system, which allows the water and waste to leave the house. The third is the fixtures, including sinks, bathtubs, toilets, faucets, and showerheads.

When any part of your plumbing system acts up, it can be stressful and frustrating, and you should call a plumber immediately. If the problem isn’t addressed immediately, it can escalate to something worse that will cost more to fix.

If your plumbing system develops any of the following problems, call a licensed professional.

Slow Drains

When you run the water, it should flow quickly down the drain. If it drains very slowly, there’s likely a small clog that prevents the water from draining quickly. If the water runs too long, the sink can overflow because the water can’t drain fast enough. If the shower drains are slow, you’ll find yourself standing in several inches of water by the time you finish.

Many people try liquid drain cleaners to remove minor clogs, but these products contain harsh chemicals that can damage the pipes.

Licensed professionals have the skills and tools to eliminate the entire clog so the water flows quickly down the drain.

Clogged Drains

If the water fails to drain and there’s standing water in the sink or tub, there’s a significant drain clog. A clog this size will prevent you from using the sink or tub, which can be a hassle. Also, standing water is a breeding ground for bacteria, and if the problem isn’t addressed quickly, it creates a health hazard.

A plumber can remove the entire clog safely so the water drains, and you can start using the sink or tub again.

Multiple Clogs

When more than one drain clogs in your home simultaneously, it isn’t a coincidence and indicates a clog in the sewer line. The clog will get larger if the problem isn’t addressed quickly, and eventually, the clog will become so large that the water and waste cannot pass, causing a backup in your house.

A sewage backup is a homeowner’s worst nightmare because it will cause a smelly, potentially toxic mess all over the floor that can be unpleasant to clean.

If you call a licensed professional when the water starts to drain slowly, you can prevent a backup, and the water will flow quickly down the drain.

Plumbing Leaks

A plumbing leak should never be ignored because it can cause water damage and mold growth. Pipes can leak when they get old and start to rust and corrode. Leaks can also occur if a joint or seal fails. If a clog remains in the drain for too long, it will eat away at the pipes, causing a leak.

A plumbing tech can often find the leak quickly so they can fix it. If the leak is hidden and the tech can’t find it, they can use leak detection equipment to locate the faulty pipe to resolve the problem, preventing further water damage.

Water Heater Problems

Your water heater is essential to your plumbing system because you won’t have hot water without it. Hot water is essential to perform many daily tasks, and your hot water-based appliances need hot water to function at peak performance.

Water heater problems can affect the water temperature and can cause other issues that can disrupt your daily life. If your unit experiences any of the following problems, hiring a plumber immediately is best.

• Cold water comes from the hot water tap
• The water doesn’t get hotter than lukewarm
• The unit makes a popping or clanging sound
• You run out of hot water frequently
• Poor hot water pressure
• Discolored hot water
• Moisture or water pooling around the unit
• You run out of hot water often

A plumbing tech can determine if the unit can be fixed or if it must be replaced so that it can be resolved quickly and the hot water will be restored.

Toilet Clogs

Your toilet will clog too much toilet paper, and waste is flushed. Clogs also occur when something is flushed that should have been. It’s not uncommon for a toilet to clog, and it usually isn’t a cause for concern. A plunger will usually break up the clog so you can flush the toilet without an overflow, but there are some clogs the plunger can’t break. If the clog is large, solid, or too far down the drainpipe, you’ll need to call a plumbing service.

Plumbing techs have the equipment to eliminate stubborn clogs, and they can remove the toilet to reach the clog if necessary. It’s best to address the problem immediately because you can’t use the toilet until the clog is removed. This can be frustrating, and if you only have one bathroom, the clog will be a serious issue.

The Professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence Can Help

If your plumbing system is acting up and you need to hire a plumber, look no further than Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence. We’re a full-service plumbing company, proudly serving customers in the area for years. We provide plumbing services and are experts in water heaters and water filters, and we offer leak detection services.

Our techs have undergone years of training and apprenticeship to learn their craft. They’re licensed and insured and have the knowledge and skill to tackle any job, even the most challenging ones.

We know your time is valuable, so we guarantee the tech will arrive at your home on time. If the tech is late, we’ll pay you $5 for every minute until they arrive. Our techs drive fully stocked trucks so they can make most repairs on the same day, so you won’t have to take time out of your life for a second service call. We also provide emergency service if you have a plumbing problem that must be addressed immediately.

If you need to schedule an appointment, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence today.

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Important Factors To Consider When Installing Water Filtration Systems

Water has multiple applications in the home, including drinking, washing, and cooking. Due to the sensitive nature of its use, one needs to take extra caution when it comes to water quality. While local authorities take great measures to ensure residents receive clean and safe water for domestic use, you can’t take chances since these water systems are prone to failures.

Homeowners who rely on boreholes and wells should also ensure they remove contaminants such as bacteria, excess mineral salts, and volatile organic compounds before consuming the water. The best way to handle your water is by conducting regular tests and installing filtration systems.

Below are factors you should consider when fixing a filtration system.

Compatibility of the Filtration System with Your Home

Several types of water filtration systems are on the market, each designed with different performance levels. When choosing one for your home, you must ensure it’s compatible with your plumbing system, especially when using unique plumbing equipment.

Before choosing which filtration system to install, consult a reliable plumbing company such as Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence. This way, you can gauge if you need additional attachments to ensure the water filtration system operates optimally.

A professional plumber is well-placed to advise you on the best water treatment solution and softener, depending on the type and use of water.

Contaminants in the Water

Water filtration systems are designed to eliminate foreign material from your water, leaving it clean and safe for consumption. No matter the source, water is susceptible to numerous contaminants that interfere with its quality. Your filtration system is ineffective if it can’t remove impurities in your water supply.

When choosing a filtration system, have the water tested to ascertain the impurities in your water. This information lets you compare different water treatment and filtration systems to target those contaminants.

Initial and Operational Cost

One of the main factors you must consider is the upfront cost of installing the filtration system. Some systems have a high initial price with low operation cost and vice versa. The cost of these systems depends on the efficiency and complexity of the connections. In some cases, you may have to choose two options because of the installation cost, which is also pegged on compatibility with your plumbing system.

Aside from the initial cost, you need to consider operational and maintenance. No matter the type of filtration system you choose, you have to schedule regular maintenance and change a few components occasionally to ensure the system runs at its peak. How often you change the filter and other components depends on the level of use and quality of the filtration system you buy. Have a professional plumber recommend the best option based on your budget.

Filtration of the System

Every household uses different amounts of water, with others relying on it for more than washing, cooking, and cleaning. The amount of water used daily will determine the type of filtration system you buy since it has to provide enough water to meet your daily needs.

Water filtration systems have different rates, meaning you will get varying amounts of clean and safe water. The type of system you choose is directly related to your water usage, hence the need for a professional plumber to measure and approximate your overall use and advice on the best filtration system to get. To determine your overall use, the plumber will measure usage in the bathroom, toilet, kitchen, laundry, and other areas and allocate water appropriately. It doesn’t make sense to use all your purified water in the laundry or bathroom.

Maintenance

A filtration system is designed to serve you for a few years before major repairs or replacement. However, like all installations, it needs regular maintenance to ensure your system runs optimally. Maintenance is one of the most overlooked factors when installing a filtration system; however, this is an important factor to consider when choosing one.

The system should be simple and easy to inspect and maintain regularly with minimal effort from a plumber. You should also consider how often you need to clean it and how often you need to service it. While the ease of maintenance should not rule out the need for a professional plumber, the system should be easy to understand. This way, you can identify issues with your system and alert your plumber on time.

Handling a complex filtration system can be a headache, especially during servicing or repairs. These repairs can be pricey and extensive, meaning you must wait for long to access clean water.

Quality Requirements

Being expensive doesn’t necessarily mean you are guaranteed quality. You need to do extensive research about filters and different quality standards to get the best water filtration system. Keep in mind that your water quality depends on the type of filter. When filtering water for domestic use, you need to make sure all the impurities are removed, including dirt, bacteria, and toxic substances.

Technology has made it easy for people to find information on various products and companies. Look at the reviews and ratings of each filtration system to gauge their efficiency. Plumbers are best placed to advise you on the best filtration systems to meet quality requirements. These professionals have handled various filtration systems and can find the best deals and also get you a quality system that fits your budget.

Find Professional Plumbing at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence

A Water filtration system is designed to eliminate contaminants in your water and ensure your household enjoys clean and safe water. It’s worth mentioning that not all filtration systems are perfect for your home. You need the professional opinion of a plumber to ensure you get the best choice for your home.

Our plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence have experience in multiple plumbing services, including installing water filtration systems. Contact our customer service for more about our services and a quote for your plumbing project.

See our most recent blog on this topic here.

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Water Heater Element For Hard Water — The Types A Water Heater Repair Technician Can Install In Your Conventional Unit

In plumbing systems, water heater elements are parts of a water heating unit that heat the water. Unfortunately, these heating elements deteriorate, especially if your home has hard water. This is mainly because sediment accumulation around them prevents an effective heat transfer. If sediments cover the heating element, you might hear popping sounds whenever your unit is heating the water. Additionally, the recovery rate for your water heating unit may increase within several minutes, meaning that you’ll have to wait longer before the water heats up. You can avoid most of these issues by enlisting a water heater repair technician for maintenance and choosing the right element.

What are the Reasons for Heating Element Replacement?

Mineral accumulation of the sediments around the heating element resulting in them shorting out is the most prevalent cause of replacement. Most conventional water heaters feature two heating elements, one at the top and the other at the bottom. The element at the bottom does the heavy lifting as it directly heats the water. Water from your plumbing supply lines enters the tank via a dip tube that directs to the bottom of the tank for heating. Once heated, it rises because of reduced density. Since the bottom element is always submerged in the water, calcification, magnesium, and other sediments constantly surround it as it heats up.

Therefore, the mineral sediments gather and harden around the heating element, preventing it from touching the water. This means there will be no effective heat transfer to the water from the element, reducing the tank’s effectiveness. Sediments surround your heating element if you hear the popping sounds of the heat breaking the sediments up. If the corrosion continues and reaches the head of the heating element, it shorts the element out. Insufficient hot water, lukewarm water, and longer recovery times are common signs that the heating element is malfunctioning and requires a replacement.

Best Heating Elements for Hard Water

Although the water in this city is generally soft, some isolated homes still get hard water. The heating element of a water heater is tasked with heating the water you use in your hot water faucets, kitchen, or even showers. Heating elements aren’t just used for electric tank-type water heaters; they also are used in electric on-demand water heaters. They are normally made from a metallic rod submerged in the water. The material making this rod could be stainless steel, copper, or aluminum.

How Hard Water Affects the Heating Elements in a Water Heater

Water heater elements for mineral-rich water withstand the accumulation of sediments from using hard water. But what is hard water? Water contains high mineral levels, particularly magnesium and calcium— the two metals that form insoluble carbonate salts. Some deposits of these minerals are left behind whenever this hard water flows through the water heater. The more sediment accumulation in the water heater, the greater the damage to your unit’s heating elements. You should enlist a water heater repair pro to replace the element and flush the water heater.

It is worth noting that having a quality anode rod can help protect the heating element and the tank from corrosion. Whenever the heating elements experience sediment accumulation, it struggles to send and receive electrical signals from the thermostat. Unfortunately, your heating element may heat your water to unsafe temperature levels. This could result in scalding. In extreme instances, this eventually could lead to a pressure accumulation and a possibility of your water heater exploding, particularly if the T&P valve is faulty.

Types of Water Heater Heating Elements for Hard Water

While they all have the primary function of heating the water, heating elements are not the same. Below are the three elements that can be used in hard water applications;

High-Density Heating Elements

These heating elements of a water heater are made from zinc-coated copper and are among the cheapest. Most water heaters are shipped with high-density heating elements, although you can talk to your water heater repair technician about upgrading.

Low-Density Heating Elements

Low-density water heating elements are made from nickel and magnesium-coated copper. They are in the middle range when it comes to costs and quality.

Ultra-Low-Density Heating Elements

These heating elements are made using stainless steel and are the most expensive of all of the above. However, they can withstand sediment accumulation caused by hard water best.

How Do Hard Water Heating Elements Work?

When the water heater’s thermostat touches cold water, it sends a current to the heating element to begin heating the water. The thermostat stops sending that current when water is heated to your preferred temperatures. Most water heaters have two heating elements — one at the top and another at the bottom. They work in tandem to ensure top efficiency. The element at the top activates first, although the element at the bottom does most of the work.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Hard Water Heating Element

You want to look for a device that has the following;

Correct Wattage

Heating elements should always match the total wattage of your water heating unit. If the unit’s wattage is higher than that of the heating element, then the element won’t heat your water as quickly as you want. On the other hand, if the wattage is lower than that of the heating element, it will burn out quicker than anticipated.

Attachment Type

There are two most common attachment types for heating elements in a water heater— threaded and flange-type. Threaded heating elements screw directly into the sides of a water heater tank, while flange-type heating elements are attached to the tank by a water heater repair technician with the help of four bolts.

Does your unit heating element suffer the brunt of hard water? We can help you choose the best element for the hard water. Contact us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence to learn more about these elements.

See our most recent blog on this topic here.

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Benefits Of Hiring A Professional Plumbing Company

As a homeowner, you may have the natural urge to solve some problems around your house on your own. Indeed, if you like getting your hands dirty, some DIY projects can be quite satisfying. However, this does not mean that you should avoid hiring professionals in everything you do at home. For instance, when it comes to handling plumbing problems, it is advisable to trust professionals and fight any temptations to do it on your own. This is because plumbing problems are usually more complicated than they seem. Besides, handling some plumbing assignments yourself might expose you to the risk of getting seriously hurt. Therefore, whether you want to install a new plumbing system or appliance or you would like to repair a seemingly simple plumbing issue, you need to hire a trustworthy professional plumbing company. But why exactly is it important to leave plumbing issues to professional plumbers? Below is a rundown of the benefits you can expect by trusting professional plumbers as opposed to trying DIY plumbing solutions.

Protect Your Warranties

The cost of installing a plumbing system is usually very high. Indeed, the cost of a plumbing system can account for more than 10% of the monetary value of an average house. Therefore, it is not surprising that some plumbing components come with warranties. Manufacturers use warranties to assure their customers that they are buying quality products. By issuing warranties, they accept to take responsibility should their products break down or develop some serious problems within a specified time. Therefore, if your plumbing system has valid warranties, you may be entitled to free repairs or even replacements should some components of your plumbing system fail. However, it is important to note that warranties come with stringent conditions. For instance, your plumbing system’s warranty might require you to make sure that all your plumbing repairs and installations are done by a licensed plumbing company. If this is the case, trying DIY plumbing solutions might effectively void the warranty, causing you to lose all the privileges your warranties afford you. On the other hand, by ensuring that all your plumbing issues are handled by a professional plumbing contractor, you can effectively protect the validity of your warranties and consequently continue enjoying the rights and privileges they afford you.

Protect Your Plumbing Infrastructure

Although your plumbing system is quite durable, it cannot be said to be indestructible. Indeed, some of its components are quite delicate, and they can easily get damaged, especially if they are handled incorrectly. For instance, if your plumbing system is made of PVC pipes, even fastening a nut incorrectly could damage a pipe. Therefore, without the right tools, skills, and experience, you could end up damaging your plumbing system and creating new problems without fixing the original problems. Unfortunately, this means that you might end up hiring a professional plumber and spending more money in the end. The good news is that you can protect your plumbing system from developing further problems by simply calling a professional plumbing company as soon as you notice that you have a plumbing problem in your house. Professionals deal with plumbing problems every day, and they know what needs to be done to accurately diagnose any given plumbing issue, isolate it, and address it without damaging other components of your plumbing system.

Avoid Possible Injuries

Some plumbing problems involve the risk of accidents. For example, if your water heater has malfunctioned for whatever reason, trying to fix it on your own could put you at risk of getting hurt by boiling water under high pressure. Similarly, if you need to install or repair an overhead tank, the job might put you at risk of falling and sustaining a severe fall injury. The good news is that you do not have to take such risks. Indeed, you can avoid them by simply hiring a professional plumbing company to help you handle any plumbing situation you might run into. Professionals deal with risky plumbing situations every day, and they have the necessary experience, training, and safety gear to handle even the riskiest plumbing issues without putting themselves and other people at risk of getting hurt. In any case, professional plumbers are adequately insured, and even if they get hurt while working on your plumbing system, you can rest assured that you will not be held financially liable for their injuries since their insurance will cover them.

Save Your Time and Money

In most cases, homeowners try to fix plumbing issues on their own hoping to save some money in the end. However, in reality, this does not seem to work. In fact, DIY plumbing solutions seem to cost more than hiring a professional plumbing contractor. This can be explained in several ways. For instance, you may have to start by buying the tools and the fixtures you need for the job. Unfortunately, you may never need the tools again, and therefore, buying them is quite uneconomical. Besides, without the right skills for the job, there is no guarantee that you will fix the issue correctly. Therefore, even after spending your time and money on it, you may fail and eventually be forced by the situation to call a professional plumber. Indeed, by hiring a professional plumber to help you handle your plumbing situation, you can get the job done in the most efficient way possible, meaning that you might end up saving a lot of time and money.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, the importance of ensuring that all your plumbing issues are handled by a professional plumber cannot be overemphasized. It can save you money, protect your plumbing system, and keep your family safe from possible accidents. Hiring a professional plumber might also keep your warranties valid. If you are looking for a reliable plumbing contractor near you. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Florence is an excellent choice. Feel free to get in touch with us today for more information about our company and the services we are best known for.

See our most recent blog on this topic here.

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